Complaints resurface over Romeo’s reign of ‘terror’ in New York

Former colleagues of the new civil service leader describe an ‘atmosphere of bullying’ at consulate

- Hugh Tomlinson

The appointment of Antonia Romeo to lead the UK civil service has horrified former colleagues who accused her of bullying and fostering an “atmosphere of terror” when she served at the British consulate in New York.

Keir Starmer confirmed Romeo as his new cabinet secretary last week, making her the first woman to serve as the UK's top civil servant in the 110-year history of the post. Romeo is tasked with shaking up the service as the prime minister attempts another reboot of his faltering administration.

But the decision has appalled former colleagues who have accused Romeo of bullying. One said that Starmer’s decision to dismiss the past allegations against his most senior policy adviser was “incomprehensible” and “outrageous” amid the fallout from the sacking of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington over his ties to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Documents seen by The Observer and testimony from several sources allege a pattern of abusive behaviour towards consular staff.

“I think I cried every day in the office,” one former colleague told The Observer, who accused Romeo of “screaming, yelling, threatening” staff, telling them: “You're rubbish at your job, you're a liar, you're a bitch.”

“It was pretty systematic,” another former colleague said. “I have no doubt in my mind that her behaviour constituted serious bullying.”